SOAS is a unique university renowned for its global outlook, academic excellence, regional specialisms, and diverse student environment. While it may not top mainstream rankings, its global reputation in African, Asian, and Middle Eastern studies is unmatched. This blog will provide you with the facts about SOAS, including the SOAS University of London Ranking, statistics about students, courses and programs, entry information, and scholarships. Let’s dive in!
What is SOAS University of London?
Found in 1916, SOAS (School of Oriental and African Studies) is a unique university located in Central London. It’s a unique institution specializing in African, Asian, and the Middle Eastern studies. And renowned for its expertise in languages, politics, and development studies. With a fiercely global outlook and special teaching approach, SOAS attracts students and scholars worldwide.
About SOAS University of London
| Aspects | Details |
|---|---|
| Ranking of SOAS University of London | 508th (QS) |
| Establishment | 1916 |
| Campus Size | Compact, urban campus |
| Location | Bloomsbury, Central London |
| Placement Rate | 90% of graduates are employed |
| Top Recruiters | UN, NGOs, UK Foreign Office, Diplomatic Service, BBC, etc. |
| Popular Courses | Development Studies, Politics and International Relations, etc. |
| Acceptance Rate | 47%, varying by course. |
| Tuition Fees (UK) | Around £9,250/year for undergraduate; £13,000/year for postgraduate |
| Tuition Fee (International) | Around £24,000/year |
SOAS University of London Ranking
Due to its specialisation in a specific field and small campus size, the overall SOAS London ranking is not ideal. SOAS is not as famous as Oxford, Cambridge in the UK, and Ivy League Institutions like Harvard University, and MIT, etc, in the US. But it has its own strengths and culture environment. Below, we list the SOAS University of London ranking globally and in the UK to give you a general impression of this unique university.
| Global Rankings | |
|---|---|
| Ranking Body | Overall Ranking |
| QS World University Ranking 2025 | 508th |
| Times Higher Education University Impact Ranking 2025 | 301-400th |
| U.S.News&World Report Best Global Universities | 515th in Europe and 91st in the UK |
| UK Rankings | |
|---|---|
| Ranking Body | Overall Ranking |
| The Times University Guide 2025 | 65th |
| The Guardian University Guide 2025 | 90th |
| Complete University Guide 2026 | 62nd |
| Teaching Excellence Framework | Silver Ranking |
SOAS University of London Ranking by Subject
If we take a look at the the SOAS University of London Ranking by subject, you will see how dedicated and how well they did in specific fields. According to the statistics from the QS World University Ranking by subject, there are 11 subjects at SOAS University of London that rank the top 100, including Development Studies, Anthropology, Politics and International Studies, etc.
| QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Subject | Rankings | Study Focus |
| Development Studies | 8th | One of the world’s leading institutions for development studies, focusing on critical global issues. |
| Anthropology | 47th | With focus on African, Asian, and Middle Eastern cultures. |
| Politics and International Studies | 51-100 band | Strong in postcolonial studies, global governance, and non-Western political systems. |
| Linguistics | 51-100 band | Specialises in African, Asian, Middle Eastern languages and rare language studies. |
| History | 51-100 band | Global histories, colonialism from a non-European perspectives. |
| Modern Language | 51-100 band | Specialise in African, Asian, and Middle Eastern languages, like Arabic, Swahili, Chinese, and Sanskrit. |
| Religious Studies & Theology | 51-100 band | Expertise in Buddhism, Islam, Hinduism, and African religious traditions. |
| Art & Design | 51-100 band | Including Art History and Archaeology, focuses on African and Asian art history, heritage, and visual cultures. |
| Law &Legal Studies | 51-100 band | Strong in human rights, international law, and Islamic law |
| Music | 51-100 band | Specialise in African, Asian, and Middle Eastern Music traditions |
| Area Studies | 5th | Middle Eastern Studies, South Asian Studies, African Studies |
About Students in SOAS University of London
According to statistics, there are approximately over 5000 students are currently studying at SOAS University of London. Below are additional statistics about students.
Student Nationality
Study Mode
SOAS University of London Address
Address: 10 Thornhaugh St, London WC1H 0XG UK
Located in the heart of London, SOAS University of London is situated beside Russell Square and Gordon Square, and you can also have easy access to the renowned British Museum within just 5 minutes walk.
Surroundings
SOAS University of London is a compact, urban campus in the Central London. The buildings here are a mix of historic and modern facilities, including the main building Russell Square, SOAS Library, and the Brunei Gallery. Due to its ascendant location, there are many shared resources available, SOAS students have access to University of London facilities, and the proximity to the British Museum, Birkbeck, and UCL expands learning and social opportunities.
Accommodation at SOAS University of London
SOAS offers various accommodation that close to the campus. And all within proximity to amenities and transport links. Accommodation options include halls of residence, intercollegiate halls, self-catered and catered housing. The housing costs range from £200-300 a week.
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Courses and Programs in SOAS University of London
Although the global ranking of SOAS University of London is not ideal, SOAS offers a wide range of specialist subject areas for both undergraduate and postgraduate students. The most famous courses are about development studies, politics, history, and area studies in Africa, Asia and Middle East, and languages studies related with these regions. Students can study over 50 rare languages here, like Hausa, Yoruba, Somali in Africa, and Burmese, Tibetan, Sanskrit in Asia. It’s an ideal place for those seeking critical thinking, language skills, and a non-mainstream academic path.
Programs
Below is the breakdown of the programs students can study, and the duration and tuition fees.
| Program Name | Duration | Fees |
|---|---|---|
| BA (Languages & Culture; Social Sciences; Arts & Humanities) | 3-4 years | £9,250 (UK); around £24,000 (International) |
| LLB (Law) | 3-4 years | £9,250 (UK); around £25,000 (International) |
| MSc (Development Studies) | 1 year full-time, 2-3 years part-time | £15,000 (UK); around £26,500 (International) |
| MA (Politics & International Relations) | 1 year full-time, 2-3 years part-time | £15,000 (UK); around £26,500 (International) |
| MA (Languages, Arts& Culture) | 1 year full-time, 2-3 years part-time | £12,220 (UK); around £24,500 (International) |
| LLM (Law) | 1 year full-time, 2-3 years part-time | £15,000 (UK); around £26,500 (International) |
| PhD | 3-4 years full-time; 6-7 years part-time | £4,860 (UK); around £23,400 (International) |
Entry Requirements
Due to some high ranking of SOAS University of London in terms of subjects, there are many students worldwide choose to study here yearly. The entry requirements vary by program and level of study. In general, SOAS is committed to a fair and inclusive admissions policy. Getting into SOAS isn’t just about grades, it’s about fit. While grades, personal statement, and academic references are all taken into consideration, for undergraduate programs, students have to obtain at least ABB grades. And for a postgraduate program, students need to have a 2:1 (Upper Second Class) UK Bachelor’s or an international equivalent. And for those language degrees, students typically must provide proof of proficiency in different languages, such as HSK for Chinese, JLPT for Japanese.
Scholarships at SOAS
SOAS University of London offers a range of scholarships for students. The key scholarships are as follows:
| Scholarship | For | Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| SOAS International Postgraduate Scholarship | Overseas Postgraduate Students | £5,000 fee reduction |
| Felix Non-Indian Scholarship | MA Students from Developing countries | Full tuition + living cost |
| John Loiello AFSOAS Furlong Foundation Scholarship | MA Students in African Studies | £20,000 |
| Undergraduate SOAS Academic Excellence Award | High-achieving UK/EU undergraduates | £3,000 per year |
| Country-Specific Awards | Taiwanese, Japanese, or Indonesian. | Varies across countries |
Studying at the SOAS
SOAS uni ranking isn’t everything. Students can have a unique study experience here. You can benefit greatly in many ways studying at the SOAS.
Unmatched Expertise in Africa/Asia/Middle East: Their development studies and area studies are ranked top 10 globally.
Unique Communication Group: There are many people from Africa, Asian, and Middle East, you can have a unique communication experiences with people from different countries.
Decolonial and Critical Approach: Courses challenge Western-centric views, an ideal place to study politics, history, and economics from a Global South perspective
Small Classes: Due to the small campus size, here, you are able to have a small class size, and students and professors have a close relationship with each other.
Shared Resource: The good location benefits students in this university, as they have access to the nearby British Museum, Birkbeck, and UCL.
Conclusions
Refer to SOAS University of London Ranking is one factor to choose a university, there are more aspects you need to consider when choosing a school, like the courses structure, personal development, accommodation, placement rate, and cost of living, etc. Admittedly, SOAS is a good choice for students interested in area studies like Africa, Asia and Middle East. You can develop your knowledge from a new perspective, challenging the traditional Eurocentric narratives. With small class sizes and a reputation for producing UN diplomats, NGO leaders, and cultural experts, SOAS isn’t just a university, it’s a hub for those determined to rethink the world.
FAQs
It stands for the School of Oriental and African Studies, which is dedicated to the study of the languages, cultures and societies of Africa, Asia and the Middle East. It is the only Higher Education Institution in Europe, with this academic specialisation.
SOAS has unmatched expertise in Asia, Africa and the Middle East, and is the number one for area studies, with unparalleled depth in languages, politics, and culture of these regions. Except that, London as a city will be a good place for students to study.
Yes, SOAS University of London is a good university. Although its overall ranking and reputation is not that good, its strengths lie in the area studies, with unmatched expertise in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. It’s an ideal place for students who interested in such things.
No, SOAS University of London is not part of the Russell Group, because the Russell Group prioritises large-size, research-intensive universities with broad STEM and humanities offerings. While SOAS is just a small size institution.
Yes. Students who graduated from SOAS are able to find a good job. SOAS is a feeder school for humanitarian roles. Students studying international development can find top recruiters like the UN, BBC, and Amnesty International.
SOAS University of London often ranks lower in general university rankings compared to broader institutions. Global rankings, such as QS, favor generalist, and STEM-Heavy universities, while SOAS is hyper-specialized in humanities and social sciences, particularly in areas like Africa, Asia, and the Middle East.
Yes. SOAS is well respected for its expertise in African, Asian, and Middle Eastern Studies, unmatched by any other institution. While mainstream rankings overlook its niche brilliance, anyone serious about global languages, politics, or development agrees that SOAS is an ideal place.
SOAS is a prestigious UK institution with a worldwide reputation for excellence, particularly within the fields of politics, development studies, law, and anthropology. This university has a academic strengths in African, Asian, and Middle Eastern studies.
